Exercise device for buttock muscles

ABSTRACT

A portable buttock exercise device is disclosed. The device is intended to methodically strengthen and condition the gluteus buttocks. The portable buttock exercise device comprises a base, an elongated and generally rigid tube protruding vertically upwards with its upper distant end connected to a horizontal handlebar, resembling a t-shape, but with a hanging swing bar attached and extending downwards from the middle of the vertical tube where a roller is attached to catch the lower calf of the user and where elastic resistance bands are connected at interchangeable degrees to give varying resistance to the user who swings one leg back, repetitively pushing the roller.

I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to what is ultimately a method of conditioning the buttock muscles, including the gluteus and piriformis muscles, but more particularly it is a portable, economical and effective exercise device that would allow the user to quickly and easily develop the gluteal and piriformis regions, in a home environment, to strengthen and generate a tone, flexible and fit buttock area.

II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, the use of mechanisms to stay fit has become well recognized. Buttock exercise equipment has been in existence and marketed differently for years. Typically, such devices are devices located in health clubs. Many of such devices are set on tracks utilize spring seats, levers, or weight benches. For portable and quick use in a home environment, these state of the art devices are somewhat limited in use by virtue of their heavy and cumbersome design.

Therefore it would be highly desirable to have a buttock exercise device functionally designed for the home user. In general, home exercise equipment involves a lower degree of expertise and requires less specialized gear. Buttock exercise equipment that presently exist are not adequately designed to facilitate quick and portable use in an ordinary domicile. A simple cost effective device is needed to conveniently improve buttock strength. Such a device would also aid in balance and proprioception.

The first major shortcoming of existing buttock exercise equipment is that they entail the use of spring seats which are heavy and encourage motion that is not natural or ergonomic. Presently existing buttock exercise devices are commonly designed with spring seats as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,352,173. Other buttock exercise devices utilize weight benches are intended for use in health clubs. The use of weights can be dangerous, especially for home use, and can cause quick fatigue as well as potential injury to the lower back if rotated. What is needed is a buttock exercise device designed to the same end yet which is much simpler in function. Such a design would allow for more flexible use, either at home, or even for use during travel, such one that is light, durable, and made from hard and rigid material. Such a product would use varying resistance and allow for a natural arc motion to strengthen and tone the buttock area. Those skilled in the art would recognize the utility of such a device because the arc motion and would function as a more ergonomically correct exercise utility.

The second major disadvantage of existing buttock exercise equipment is that they are designed with looped ring grips (U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,668), or they have a bootie grip where the users foot is inserted (U.S. Pat. No.5,593,374). What is needed is a buttock exercise device that allows for an effective workout with natural freedom of movement, and without the need for the user to literally attach to the device. Such a design would be advantageous because the device would allow for stability and strengthening, while the complication of connecting to an exercise device is obviated.

The third major disadvantage of existing buttock exercise equipment involves the use of all-in-one home gyms which use tracks, cables, and seats. The exerciser's motion is restricted to straight upward movements or where the exercisers motion is restricted to an up and down track motion. For regular buttock fitness, guide slots, grooves and rails such as those described hinder the user's lateral movement. The pure linear motion limits muscle movement, as opposed to a natural arc motion. Tracked linear motion hinders a user's full range of motion, and thus restricts the conditioning of all the gluteus muscles encompassing the pelvic joint, including the gluteus maximus, gluteus minimus, gluteus medius and piriformis muscles. For those skilled in the art, a device employing an ergonomic function, using natural range of motion to strengthen muscles, is preferable for proper conditioning. Therefore, desirable is a buttock exercise device employing an arc motion, enabling lateral movement, and using a range of motion which specifically targets the gluteus muscles and piriformis muscles.

As such, presently existing buttock exercise equipment devices are generally intended for different purposes and are insufficient for and can be actually dangerous optimal gluteus muscle exercise. Prior art devices are excessively complex, costly to manufacture, and are expensive to the end user. Most devices are clunky, heavy, and cumbersome to manipulate, and some entail the use of weights, loops, rings, boots, and seats. All of the known prior art buttock exercise equipment of the type described are disadvantageous in one or more significant way. There exists a need in the art for a buttock exercise apparatus which overcomes these shortcomings. What is needed is a buttock exercise device designed to provide individuals with optimal effectiveness during buttock conditioning. Such a device should be durable, light, and relatively simple in design and construction so as to make it affordable to the consumer.

III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To overcome the shortcomings of similar prior art, the present invention introduces a buttock exercise device particularly adapted to function ergonomically with the user. It is designed to efficiently strengthen buttock muscles by employing a natural arc, and by using a resistance factor. The invented device is defined specifically by two components: its particular base and vertical t-shaped shaft. The invention relies upon both of these attributes in combination with a swing bar and a resistance factor to provide a novel platform for hip extension and hip abduction, without undue stress on the cervical and lumbar spine. The device facilitates a safe buttock conditioning method by ergonomically mimicking natural human motion. The device is much better suited for “home” use than known prior art.

The particular base's unique shape is flat when viewed from the side, yet consists of a flat area and a slotted area. The flat area is used as a foot platform, and the slot area is utilized to support a vertical t-shaped shaft. The edges of the base are preferably beveled downwards when viewed from above. This invented shape allows the user to maintain a stable point of contact with the device, and to allow for a rigid and stable platform to support a vertical t-shaped shaft.

The vertical t-shaped shaft preferably has a tubular shape, lengthwise having an unchanging transverse cross-sectional diameter, and a uniformly smooth surface. The vertical t-shaped shaft is preferably made of tubular aluminum measured two (2) to three (3) inches diameter, but any suitable material may be used, such as iron, steel, or polyvinyl carbonate (PVC) pipe. In an alternate embodiment the vertical t-shaped shaft can be a solid rod, or a hollow pole. In the preferred embodiment, the t-shape is positioned at the top of, and is situated horizontally and perpendicular to, the vertical shaft.

The vertical t-shaped shaft has an extruding pin from its center, roughly three-quarters from the top. This extruding pin allows a second vertical shaft to hang down from it, and swing, with a roller attached at the shaft's bottom end. The roller pin has tracks on one side which allow for resistance bands to be attached. The resistance bands stretch upwards from the roller to attach to the extruding pin, and then stretch below to a lower extruding pin. On the roller's other side is a foam cushion, intended to touch the user's ankle and lower leg.

It is intended that the user step onto the base with one foot and grab and hold the t-shaped grip for support and stability during exercise. The user performs exercise by positioning the other ankle directly against the roller and moving the leg outwards so that the roller moves up from the ankle towards the knee. The resistance bands provide variable tension. When the user's leg has reached its limit of movement in a semi-arc, the user returns her leg back to its original position. Users are intended to repeat this exercise. The user may perform this exercise by kicking out in front, as illustrated in FIG. D, kicking back as illustrated in FIG. C, or kicking sideways, as illustrated in FIG. E.

Buttock exercise devices of this caliber are intended for sale in stores selling sports equipment. This invention is provided for amateurs or experts who want a more customized buttock exercise. The device is of relatively simple design and construction is relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. A is a front perspective view of the device, showing the particular base as it supports the vertical shaft and t-shaped grip, and the swinging shaft with its roller and resistance bands attached;

FIG. B is a side perspective view of the device;

FIG. C is a front perspective view of the device, with a user, showing how the device is utilized with the user arcing one leg backwards;

FIG. D is a front perspective view of the device, with a user, showing how the device is utilized with the user arcing one leg forwards;

FIG. E is a front perspective view of the device, with a user, showing how the device is utilized with the user arcing one leg sideways;

IV. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in the drawings, the device is comprised of a generally rectangular base, 1, with a rigid top surface that supports a vertical axis, 2, and attached at the top end of the vertical axis is a horizontally positioned t-shaped grip, 3, and located at the upper middle area of the vertical axis is an outwardly protruding pin, 4, and from the outwardly protruding pin hangs a swinging vertical axis, 5, with a roller attached at its lower end, 6, and on the inside of the roller, a track, 8, and from the outwardly protruding pin stretching to the track is a resistance band, 7. Preferably, the outside diameter of the vertical axis is two to three inches, and its length is two to three feet.

The device, 12, is intended for use as illustrated in FIGS. C-E. The device can be used either backward, behind the body, FIG. C, or forward, in front of the body, FIG. D, or sideways, FIG. E. The arc movement of the device moves 180 degrees on a circular plane, relative to the rotational axis of the outwardly protruding pin, 4.

It is understood that there are many alternate embodiments of this invention. For example, the particular base could be composed of many materials such as various rigid materials like any metal supported rubber structure, or high pressurized textured plastic, carbon, aluminum, etc. Also, many other resistance methods other than the resistance bands could be used. Special springs, hard pliable plastic, rubber, or bows could be used to generate the needed resistance. For instance, the extruding pin, 4, could be the source of resistance, 13, as illustrated in FIG. F. Also, it is conceivable that the device could be one piece, or many pieces. Instead of using a rectangular base shape, 1, the device could be made with many different shapes.

The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and is not intended to limit the invention to the precise form and scope disclosed. Accordingly, it is to be clearly understood that this is done only by way of example. The appended claims are to cover all modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A portable, storable exercise device comprising a generally rigid base, with a top surface that supports a removable vertical axle, and located at the upper middle area of the removable vertical axle is an outwardly protruding pin, and from the outwardly protruding pin hangs a removable swinging arm with a roller attached at its lower end, and where the lower end of the hanging arm travels a circular plane according to a resistance factor.
 2. (canceled) 